Luckhardt



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July 26, 1960 1. LUCKHARDT Re. 24,849

ARTICLE OF' REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY 0F A PERSON Original FiledDec. 28J 1954 TEVI.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZIB 274 276 2&8

ATTORNEY.

ARTICLE 'OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING'THE BODY 'OF A PERSON Original No.2,750,988, dated Ilune 19, 1956, Ser. No. 478,019, Dec. 28, 1954.Application for reissue Oct.

7, 1957, Ser. No. 689,026

17 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears inthe original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification;matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to articles of furniture and more particularly toarticles of repose for supporting the body of a person, wherein aback-rest, seat and leg-rest may be brought from a sitting position intoa reclined position and vice versa.

An object of the invention is to provide an article of repose of abovedescribed type wherein the link system used in connection with themovable parts of the article is improved so as to permit an easieradjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of reposeof-above described type which may be manufactured at low costs.

A further object of the invention is to improve on the construction ofarticles of repose as now customarily made.

i Other objects and structural details of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a reclining armchair according tothe invention, a portion of a side wall being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a recliningarmchair according to the invention, a portion of a side wall beingbroken away,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a recliningarmchair according to the invention, a portion of a side wall beingbroken away, and

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of still another embodiment of areclining armchair according to the invention, a portion of a side wallbeing broken away.

Referring now to Fig. l, generally indicates a base or supportcomprising side walls 12 and 14 rigidly connected with each other. y

Body supporting means comprising aback-rest 16 and a seat 18 areswingably mounted on the base 10- at 20. The back-rest 16 and seat 18are movable relative to each other.

A leg-rest 22 is pivoted at 24 to a second first pair of linkscomprising the second link 26 and a iirst link 28 pivotally connectedwith each other at 30. The link 28 is pivoted to the seat 18 at 32.Furthermore, the leg-rest 22 is pivoted at 34 to a fourth link 36 of asecond 'pair of links comprising the fourth link 36 and a third link 38pivotally connected with each other at 40. The link 38 of said secondpair of links 36, 38 is pivoted to the seat 18 at 42 at a point to therear of the pivotal connection 32 between the seat 18 and the linkV 28of the first pair of links 26, 28.v The pivotal connection 34 betweenthe leg-rest 22 and link 36 of the` second pair of links 36, 38 isremote from and below the pivotal connection 24 between the leg-rest 22and the link 26 of the first pair oflinksr26, 28. l

una 268er a nitcd States Patent O Mice The link 28 of the first pair oflinks 26, 28 has an extension 44 rigid therewith. Said extension 44 ispivoted at 46 to the link 36 of the second pair of links 36, 38. Thus,the extension 44 connecting the first pair of links 26, 28'and secondpair of links 36, 38 causes a movement of one pair of links incoordination with the movement of the other pair of links.

The frontend of a controlling link 48 is pivoted at 50 to the link 28 ofthe first pair of links 26, 28. The rear end of said controlling link 48is pivoted at 52 to a downward extension 54 rigid with the back-rest 16.Furthermore the controlling link 48 is pivoted at 56 intermediate itsends to one end of a guiding link 58 the other end of which is pivotedto the base 10 at 60. The controlling link 48 and the guiding link 58constitute controlling means controlling the movements of the leg-rest.

When a person resting on the chair leans the weight of his body againstthe back-rest 16 so as to swing same around its pivot 20 into thereclined position shown in dash-and-dot lines, the seat 18 and theleg-rest 22 are brought into the position shown in dash-and-dot lines bymeans of the link mechanism described above.

According to the embodiment of a reclining armchair shown in Fig. 2,again the back-rest 116 and seat 118 are swingably mounted on the base110 at 120. Furthermore, again the leg-rest 122 is pivoted at 124 and134 to the second and fourth links 126 and 136 respectively of a firstpair of second and first links 126, 128 and a second pair of fourth andthird links 136, 138, the links 128 and 138 of the said pairs of linksbeing pivoted to the seat 118 at 132 and 142 respectively. Moreover,again the controlling link 148 is pivoted to the link 128` of the firstpair of links 126, 128 at 150 and to the downward extension 154 of theback-rest 116 at 152.l Also, the guiding link 158, is pivoted to saidcontrolling link 148 at 156 and to 'the base 110 at 160'.

The controlling link 148 and the guiding link 158 again constitutecontrolling means controlling the movements of the leg-rest. v i

However according to said embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the coordinationof the movements of the rst pair of links 126, A128 and the second pairof links 136, 138 is obtained in a different way. vAccording to Fig. k2,the link 126 of the rst pair of links 126, 128 has an extension 162rigid therewith and pivoted to the link 138 ofthe second pair of links136, 138 at 164.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair is shown infulllines and the reclined position of said movablev members of the chair isshown in dashand-dot lines. The constrained movements of the backn rest116, seat 118 and leg-rest 122 are obtained by the link mechanismdescribed above.

According to Fig. 3, the back-rest 216 and seat 218 are rockably mountedon the ybase 210 at 220.

The arrangement of the rst pair of second and first links 226, 228, thesecond pair of fourth and third links 236, 238, the leg-rest 222 and theconnection 244 between said two pairs of links and the pivotalconnections of said pairs of links to the seat 218 and to the leg-rest222 substantially correspond to the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

However the movements of said two pairs of links 226, 228 and 236, 238respectively and of the leg-rest 222 are controlled ina different way.

According to Fig. 3 a double-armed lever generally Y indicated by 266 isswingably mounted on the base 210 Y at 268. A top link orl arm-rest 270is pivoted at its ends 272 and 274 to the back-rest 216 and one arm'276of the double-armed lever 266 respectively. The other arm 278 of thedouble-armed lever 266 is pivoted at 280 toone end of alower link 282,the other end of which is pivoted at 284 to the link 238 of the secondpair of links 236, 238.

The double-armed lever 266, the top link 270 and the lower link 282constitute controlling means controlling the movements of theleg-rest.

Againthe movements of the 'seait 218 and leg-rest 222 are positivelycontrolled' by the mechanism described above in dependence on movementsof the back-rest 216. The sitting position is shown in full lines and are'clined position is shown in dash-anddot lines. Y

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the back-rest 316 and seat318 are rigidly connected with each other so as to form a unitgenerallyindicated by 386. Said unit 386 is Arockably mounted on the base 310 at388. The arrangement of the first pair of second and first links 326,328, 'the second pair of fourth and third links 336, 338, the legarest322, and the connection 362 between `the two pairs of links and theconnection of said two pairs of links to the leg-rest 322 and to thesea-t portion 318 of the unit 386 substantially correspond tothearrangement shown in Fig. 2.

However the movements of said two pairs of links 326, 328 and 366, 338and the leg-rest 322 connected thereto are obtained in a different Way.According to Fig. 4, an arm 389 of a bell-crank lever 390 swingablymounted on the base 310 at 392 has a slot 394 slidably engaged with apin 396 carried by the unit 386. The other arm 391`of said bell-cranklever 390l is pivoted at 398 to one end of a controlling link 300, theother end of which is pivoted at 302 to a guiding link 35S swingablymounted on the base 310 at 360. The lower end of said guiding link 358is pivoted at 304 to one end of another controlling link 306, the otherend of which is pivoted at V308 to the link 338 of the secondpair oflinks 336, 338.

The bell-crank lever 390 with its pin and slot connection, thecontrolling links 300 and 306 and the guiding link 358cons`titutecontrolling means for controlling the movements of the leg-rest.

A movement, of the unit 386 from the ysitting position shownin fulllines into the reclined position shown in dash-and-dot lines causes amovement of the leg-rest 322 into the elevated position shown indash-and-dot lines by means of the link mechanism described above.

Having described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration andthat various changes in shape and proportion, `as Well as thesubstitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and describedmay be 'made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

For example in the embodimentsshown in Figs. 1 and 2, thecontrollinglink 48 or 148 respectively could. be pivoted to the link 38or 138 respectively of the second pair of links instead of to the link28 or 128 of the first pair of links. While, in the embodiments shown inFigs. 3 and 4, the controlling link 282 or 366 respectively could bepivoted to the link 228 or 328 respectively of the first pair of linksinstead of to the link 238 or 338 as shownv in the drawing.

Furthermore each of the embodiments shown in the dnawmgs may be equippedwith limiting means for limitpivoted to said leg-rest at a point remotefrom its connection kwith said first link, said -third link beingpivoted to said seat at a point remote from its connection with saidfourth link and to the rear of the pivotal connection between said iirstlink and theseat, said fourth link being pivoted to said leg-rest at apoint remote from its connection with said third link and ybelow thepivotal connection between said'second link and the legrest, connectingmeans engaged with said primary pair of links and said secondary pair oflinks for eiecting movements of said two pairs of links in coordinationwith each other, and `controlling means engaged with said bodysupporting means, said base and a link of one of said two pairs of linksat points remote from the before mentioned connections between the seatand the links of said pairs of links for effecting movements -of thepairs of links in coordination with movements of said body supportingmeans.

2. In an article of repose -as claimed in claim 1, said connecting meansincluding an extension of said first link rigid with the latter andpivoted to said fourth link.

3. In'an article of response as claimed in claim l, said connectingmeans including an extension of said second link rigid with the latterand pivoted to said third link.

ing the sitting position and the extreme recline position.

Moreover in each of the embodiments shown-in the drawings locking meansmay be arranged for holding the movable members of the chair in anydesired'position.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person, comprising:a base, body supporting means including a seat and a back-rest movablymounted on said base, a primary pair of links including aV firsty linkand a second link pivotally connected with each other, a'secondary pairof links including a third and a fourth link pivotally connected witheach other, a leg-rest, said first` link being pivotedto said seat at apoint remote from its connection with said second. link, said secondlink r`being 4. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 1, saidcontrolling means being lengaged with said rst link.

5. In an article of repose as claimed in claim l, said controlling meansbeing engaged with said third link.

6. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 1, said back-restincluding an extension rigid with the back-rest, said controlling meanscomprising a controlling link pivoted to said extension of the back-restand to a linkof one of said .two pairs of links, and a guiding linkpivoted to said base land to said controlling link intermediate the endsofthe latter.`

7. In Van article of repose as claimed in claim 1, said back-restincluding an extension rigid with the back-rest, said controlling meanscomprising a controlling link pivoted to said extension of the back-restand to said iirst link, and a guiding link pivoted to said base and tosaid` rest, and .said controlling means comprising a contro-lling linkpivoted to said extension of the back-rest and to a link of one `of saidtwo pairs of links, and a guiding `link pivoted-to said basel and tosaid controlling link intermediate the ends ofthe latter.

9. In an articleof .repose as claimed in claim l, said connecting meansincluding an extension of said iirst link rigid with the latter andpivoted to said fourth link, said back-rest including .an extensionrigid with the back-rest, and vsaid controlling means .comprising acontrolling link pivoted to said extension of the back-rest and to saidiirst link, and a guiding link 4pivoted .to said base and to saidcontrolling .link intermediate the ends of the latter.

10. In an anticle of repose as claimedvin claim 1, said connecting meansincluding an extension of said second link rigid with the latter landpivoted to said third link, said back-rest including an extension .rigidwith the back-` rest, and said controlling means comprising acontrolling link pivoted to said `extension of the back-rest and to alink of one of said .two pairs of links, land a guiding link pivoted tosaid base and to said controlling link intermediate the ends ofthelatter.

. 11. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 1, said connectingmeans includingan extension of said second link rigid with the latter.and .pivoted to saidthird link, said back-rest .including an extensionrigid with the backrest, and said controlling means comprising acontrolling link pivoted tofsai'd extension-` ofthe back-rest and tosaid iirst:y link, and a guiding; ylink pivoted to said base and to`said controlling link intermediate `tl'te'ends of the latter.

12. In an article of repose as claimed in claim 1, said controllingmeans including a double-armed lever pivoted to said base intermediateits ends, a top link pivoted to said back-rest and one arm of saiddouble-armed lever, and a lower link pivoted to the other arm of saiddoubleiarmed lever and to a link of one of said two pairs of links.

13. In an article of repose as claimed in claim l, said controllingmeans including a double-armed lever pivoted to said base intermediateits ends, a top link pivoted to said back-rest and one arm of saiddouble-armed lever, yand a lower link pivoted to the other arm of saidydoublearrned lever and to said third link.

14. In an article of repose las claimed in claim l, said seat and saidback-rest being rigid with each other so las to form a unit.

15. In an article of repose as claimed in claim l, said seat and saidback-rest being rigid with each other so as to form a unit, and saidcontrolling means including a double-armed lever pivoted to said baseintermediate its ends, a pin and slot connection between said unit andone arm of said double-armed lever, a guiding link swingably mounted onsaid base, a rst controlling link pivoted v to the other arm of saiddouble-armed lever and to said guiding link, and a second controllinglink pivoted to said `ably mounted on said base, a rst controlling linkpivoted tions, and a leg-rest positioned beneath said seat and adaptedto be moved upwardly and outwardly relative to said seat, theimprovement comprising control means for moving said leg-rest inresponse to reclining movement of said back-rest including a first linkpair having first and second links pivotally connected to each other,means operatively connected to said first link and pivotally mountingsaid rst link pair at a first location on said chair, ar second linkpair having third and fourth links pivotally connected to each other,lmeans operatively connected to said third link and pivotally mountingsaid second link pair -at a second location on said chair spaced fromsaid first location, said first link pair having said first and secondlinks positioned respectively forwardly and above said third and fourthlinks of said second link pair, a connecting link rigid with one link ofsaid first link pair and having a pivotal connection to one link of saidsecond link pair for effecting movement of said first and second linkpairs in coordination with each other, said second link of said firstlink pair being pivotally connected to said leg-rest at a firstlocation, said fourth link of said second link pair being pivotallyconnected to said leg-rest at a second location spaced from said firstlocation.

References Cited in the iile of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,384,932 Whistance-Smith July 19, 1921 2,672,919Luckhardt Mar. 23, 1954 2,727,561 Bank et al. Dec. 20, 1955 2,781,824Lorenz ....t. Feb. 19, 1957 2,781,825 Lorenz Feb. 19, 1957 FOREIGNPATENTS 19,394 Sweden May 13, 1905 72,116 Norway May 19, 1947

